2002 Statement

Mr. Koji Haneda

Representative of Japan

At the 57th Session of the General Assembly
on Item 34,

"The Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina"

11 November 2002

Madame President,

Japan highly commends the achievements of
Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the peace process over
the past year, such as its admission into the Council of Europe,
the amendment of the constitutions of the two entities to
ensure equality among the three main ethnic groups, and the
holding of self-organized elections. We also appreciate the
efforts of the High Representative, Mr. Paddy Ashdown, and
the members of the Peace Implementation Council, as well as
all those who participated in UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
(UNMIBH), the Stabilization Force (SFOR) and other relevant
organizations. At the same time, we recognize that much remains
to be done until the day when Bosnia and Herzegovina will
stand on its own, without the involvement of the international
community.

Madame President,

The general elections last month were the
first to be conducted by the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina
since the end of the conflict in 1995, and were thus an important
milestone in the peace implementation process. Recognizing
the importance of the elections, the Government of Japan dispatched
observers to participate in the OSCE monitoring team. We also
provided support to a project of the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), whose purpose was to raise the consciousness
of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina with regard to the
importance of the elections.

Japan is encouraged by the fact that the general
elections were carried out smoothly and largely in accordance
with international standards. The tenure of the elected officials
is four years. This period will be crucially important for
the peace implementation process. Japan looks forward to the
early formation of a new, effectively functioning government
which will assume responsibility for the future of the country
and make every effort to pursue the peace implementation process
in cooperation with the international community.

Madame President,

It is particularly important that the elected
leaders commit themselves, as a matter of priority, to work
together to advance reforms necessary for the establishment
of the rule of law and the creation of employment opportunities,
as advocated by the High Representative. They will also be
expected to address the six elements of the reform agenda
which Mr. Ashdown set out last month. Corruption and organized
crime are also issues that demand their urgent attention.

It is essential that the new government cooperate
with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
We call upon the newly elected officials and all other parties
concerned to fully support the activities of the tribunal
and surrender all those who have been indicted. We urge Bosnia
and Herzegovina to restructure its justice system as a whole,
and to develop the national capacity to prosecute less serious
war crimes.

Madame President,

Let me briefly refer to the UN Mission in
Bosnia and Herzegovina. Japan notes with satisfaction that
UNMIBH has made commendable progress in police reform, border
control and the return of members of minority groups, and
that it is in the final stages of implementing its core mandate.
This, indeed, is a good example of successful exit strategy
of a UN peacekeeping operation. Japan is also pleased to note
that the preparations for the transition of responsibility
from UNMIBH to the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) are
well on track.

Madame President,

Japan has been an active member of the Steering
Board of the Peace Implementation Council. We have pledged
and are steadily implementing a donation of approximately
$500 million to assist the reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina
in various areas including transportation, food, medical,
education, mine-clearance and refugee return. Japan, in cooperation
with the international community, will continue its steadfast
support of the peace implementation process in the belief
that the stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina
are crucial to the peace and development of Southeastern Europe
as a whole.

In closing, I am pleased to voice Japan's
support for the draft resolution before us (A/57/L.15/Rev.1).